In the News: Research and Development in Renewable Energy, Small Wind Markets

Renewable Energy WorldWind Farm Operators Adjust to Noise Responses
Over the past several years, wind farm developers have been facing increasing complaints about wind turbine noise. After many years of successfully placing turbines in proximity to homes in far or ranch country, where typical setbacks of 800 to 1,200 feet, and noise levels of 50dB or more, were well tolerated, wind energy companies are finding that residents in rural areas in the upper Midwest and Northeast are far more likely than farmers and ranchers to respond negatively to turbine sound of 40dB or even less.

North American WindpowerExclusive: Sen. Udall Calls for PTC’s Immediate Extension
Since he pledged to fight for the extension of the federal production tax credit (PTC) back in June, Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., has taken to the floor of U.S. Senate to illustrate how the status of this key incentive for wind impacts U.S. states.

Reve WindWind Power: Small business bill stalls; PTC extension not considered
A bipartisan effort by three U.S. Senators to have an extension of the federal wind energy Production Tax Credit (PTC) considered by the full Senate was thwarted yesterday, when the Small Business Jobs and Tax Relief Act (S. 2237) failed to receive enough votes to move forward.

Anchorage Daily NewsWind power towers take shape in Anchorage island
Look hard to the west from mainland Anchorage. The horizon is changing fast. Tall towers are rising up on Fire Island as Cook Inlet Region Inc. builds its long-talked-about wind farm. By the end of September, it is expected to be producing electricity—the first megawatt-scale wind project in Southcentral Alaska.